“Now, therefore, says the Lord, ​turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”   ~Joel 2:12

Let’s start with this question…what is fasting? Fasting is not eating any food for a designated time period. Water, however, is allowed. No food, no juice, no coffee, no nothing—just water!

According to Jesus, fasting is a Christian essential. It’s been called the three-ply cord of life. These three essentials for a Christian are listed together… praying, giving and fasting! (Matthew 9:14-15)  Fasting had a very high priority back in Biblical times. Now, let’s see if we can discover the reason why.

Let’s start our investigation with first approaching this topic through a scientific perspective. The following was an extremely interesting article  regarding the ancient act of fasting.

“New scientific breakthrough . . . 72-hour water fast produces stem cells and regenerates immune system.” Researchers at the University of California have discovered that fasting could indeed help the human body to actually produce a new immune system. It literally gives the ‘OK’ for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating to rebuild the entire immune system. And the really good news is that during fasting the body gets rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts so to speak.

It’s important to first understand what fasting is all about. This ketogenic condition that takes place during fasting is a natural process of the human body when it’s fueled almost 100% by body fat. Prolonged fasting forces the body to use stores of glucose, fat, and ketones, but it also breaks down a significant portion of white blood cells just like lightening a plane of excess cargo. During each cycle of fasting, this depletion of white blood cells induces changes that trigger stem cell-based regeneration of new immune system cells.

The latest Keto-Diet rage is a kind of spinoff to achieve similar results to what’s produced by fasting. It starves the body of sugars, which in turn throws the body into a state of ketosis and causes the body to use stored body fat for fuel. However, it isn’t recommended to remain on a Keto diet indefinitely due to the negative health effects on organs. This diet also encourages the consumption of unhealthy animal fats which God clearly forbids! Fasting is a much healthier choice as well as biblically encouraged, and, you will achieve an even greater benefit. Again, who ya gonna listen to, God, or man?

Just say no to sickness through fasting…!

In the past, fasting diets have been criticized by nutritionists for being unhealthy. However, this new study suggests that starving the body actually kick-starts stem cells into producing new white blood cells, which fight off infection. The researchers said their discovery could be particularly beneficial for people suffering from damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy.

Elderly people, too, are said to benefit greatly from the study. As people grow older, their immune system becomes weakened, making it harder for them to fight off even common diseases. But through this groundbreaking news, fasting could actually help them get their immune system back on track.

So, with all of that said it appears that fasting has some mighty big scientific significance on our all round physical health.

What does the Bible say about fasting…?

Now, let’s approach this subject Biblically and see where it leads. Jesus begins Matthew 6:16 with this advice; when you fast … do it like this. Notice that He didn’t say if you fast, He said, when you fast!

Also, in the book of Isaiah, God tells about a fast that He has chosen, and He goes on to explain all of the effects resulting from this fast as well as the ensuing actions that He desires from all of His children.

​“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”   ~Isaiah 58:6-8

Do you see where I underlined several portions of this verse? Disease is brought on by all of the things that God is calling the bonds of wickedness, namely sin! Could this be why Jesus always said go and sin no more when He healed someone? And then the healing will come upon those that do this fast that God has chosen as well as follow His guidance regarding our behavior to others.

Fasting to hear the voice of the Lord…!

Now, for the final piece of this most incredible spiritual discipline. There is also a tremendous spiritual significance ​in the act of fasting. Fasting is not only exhibiting self-control—gaining control over the flesh, which is one of the fruits of the Spirit—but also increasing our ability to communicate with our Creator (through meditation and prayer). If fasting physically detoxes us by removing the brain fog caused by these toxins, ​it stands to reason that we will ​also be spiritually enabled to better ​commune with God as well.

“Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast? And Jesus said to them, can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”   ~Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples had no need for fasting as a sign of morning or to increase their spiritual ability to commune with God because He was still with them. However, Jesus goes on to say that they will fast once He is taken away from them.

Fasting is the opposite of feasting. The one is overeating, and the other is under-eating. When we’re digesting food, energy that could be directed toward a spiritual connection is redirected to the physical process of digestion. Fasting eliminates, or at very least, greatly reduces digestion, as well as detoxifying our bodies and minds! Fasting will most definitely improve your spiritual strength. Prayer combined with fasting will absolutely help you tune-in to the Spirit of God—it will most definitely create a clearer and much stronger signal. Simply put, when we fast the mind is more clear, and the spirit is more aware. Try fasting to micro-tune your connection ​with God!

​“So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”   ~Nehemiah 1:4

​*Disclaimer: I am not encouraging anyone to fast without first clearing it with your doctor.​

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